DECISION   
Nr. 251, dated 24.4.2019  
 
ON THE APPROVAL OF REGULATION  OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICAT IONS 
AND APPEL LATIONS  OF ORIGIN   
Pursuant to Article 100 of  the Constitution and Articles 182 and 202 of  Law no. 9947, dated 
7.7.2008, "On industrial property", amended, on the proposal of  the Minister of  Finance and 
Economy, the Council of  Ministers   
DECIDED:  
 
1. The a pproval of  the regulation on geographical indications and appellations  of  origin, 
according to the text attached to this decision.   
2. Decision no. 1705,  dated 29.12 .2008, of  the Council of  Ministers, "On approval of  the 
regulation  “On registration of  geographical indications :” as amended, be repealed.  
3. The General Directorate of  Industrial Property is in charge of  the implementation of  
this decision. This decision enters into force after its publication in the Official Gazette.   
 
DEPUTY  PRIME  MINISTER   
Erion Braçe  
 
REGULATION  
ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICAT IONS  AND APPELLATIONS  OF ORIGIN  
 
CHAPTER I   
GENERAL PROVISIONS  
 
Article 1   
Purpose  
 
This regulation aims to defi ne the rules and procedures related to:  
a) filing  applications for registration of  geographical indications and /or appellations  of  
origin, to the General Directorate of  Industrial Property and their review;  
b) filing and reviewing the oppositions  in the Opposi tion Divi sion of  the General 
Directorate of  Industrial Property, regarding geographical indications and appellations  of  origin;  
c) submission of  requests for the appeal of  decisions  to the Inval idation & Cancell ation 
Division  as well as submission of  re quests for revocation concerning  the repeal of  PGIs or 
PAOs ; 
ç) publication of  data related to geographical indications and /or appellations  of  origin in the 
Industrial Property Bulletin by the General Directorate of  Industrial Property.   
 
Article 2   
Abbrev iations of  terms  
 
1. For this regulation, by the following terms we mean:  
1.1 "AO", appellation  of  origin, according to point 2, article 176, of  the 
law; 
1.2 "GI", geographical indication, according to point 3, article 176, of  the law;  
1.3 "PAO ", protected appellation of  origin;  
1.4 “PGI”, protected geographical indication;  
1.5 “Regulation”, regulation on GI and AO;
 
1  
 1.6 “Law”, the law no. 9947, dated 7.7.2008, “On industrial property ”, as amended;  
1.7 “GDIP ”, the General Directorate of  Industrial Prop erty; 
1.8 “Office” means the General Directorate of  Industrial Property;  
1.9 “Competent authority”, an administrative authority (Minister, institution), which 
assesses  the technical specifications of GI or AO; 
1.10 "Nice Classificat ion" means the International Classification of  Goods and Services for 
trademark registration, approved by the Nice Agreement of  15 July 1957, with all subsequent 
amendments.   
Article 3   
General information  
 
1. The GDIP  reviews the filed applica tions an d issues notices and other acts, under 
the provisions of  the law and this regulation.  
2. The GDIP  actions related to these applications are based exclusively upon  written 
documents. Requests and any other documentation submitted to the GDIP  must be in 
Albanian and printed form . 
3. Correspondence wit h the Office is done in person  or by mail.  
4. The GDIP  creates and administers the electronic database, where all actions 
performed for  geographical indications and appella tions  of  origin are stored .  
 
Article 4  
Types of  applications  
 
1. The types of  applicat ions that can be filed in the GDIP  concerning  GI or AO are as 
follows:  
1.1  Request for registration of  a geographical indication, through the PGI1 form (Annex 1 
of  the regulation);  
1.2  Request  for registration of  an appellation  of  origin, through PAO1 form (Annex 1 of  
the regulation);  
1.3  Request to file a n oppositio n against  a published geographical indication  registration  
through the PGI form (annex 1 of  the regulation);  
1.4  Request to file a n oppositio n against  a published  appellation  of  origin  regist ration, 
through the PAO2 form (annex 1 of  the regulation);  
1.5  Request to file an  appeal against  the decision  for rejection of  formalitie s, through the 
PGI3 or PAO3 form (annex 1 of  the regulation);  
1.6  Request to file a  repeal against GI/AO (PGI/PAO/4) (annex 1 of  the regulation);  
1.7  Request to file an appeal against  the board of appeal  decision , through the PGI/PAO/5 
form  (annex 1 of  the regulation);  
1.8  Request for changes in (PGI/PAO/6) product specifications (annex 1 of  the regulation).   
 
CHAPTER II  
APPLICATION  CONTENT  
 
Article 5   
Submission  of  an application  
 
1. An application for GI registration is filed through  the PGI1 form , attached to this 
regulation, which is s igned by the applicant or his representative.
 
 
 
 
 
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 2. An application  for AO registration is filed through the PAO1 form , attached to this 
regulation , which is signed by the applicant or his representative.  
3. The application can be submitted by the ap plicant or his representative:   
a) by mail;   
b) by fax; or   
c) at the GDIP .  
4. When  faxing, the applicant must, within one month from the date of  faxing , file the 
original  documents of  the request in the GDIP , otherwise , the request is considered  
unsubmitted. The application is submitted in Albanian language and  2 (two) copies.  
5. The appl ication for registration of  a geographical indication or appellation  of  origin is filed 
only for one indication or appellation  and one type of  product.   
 
Article 6   
Content of  the application for GI or AO 
 
1. The application for reg istration of  a GI or AO shall contain:  
1.1 the application form for registration of  GI (PGI1) or  AO (PAO1) attached to this 
regulation, signed by the applicant or his representative;  
1.2  data and documents provided in article 182 of  the law;   
1.3  proofs that certify  letters "a " or " b", of  point 3, article 177, of  the law, when an applicant 
is a nat ural person;  
1.4  official document that certifie s the creation of  the group.   
 
Article 7  
           Application form details  
 1.  The application form shall contain:   
1.1  identifyin g details of  the applicant and /or his /her legal representative, if  any;  
1.2 reproduction of  the geographical indication or appellation  of  origin that seeks 
protection;   
1.3  identifying details  of the product, which will be protected th rough GI or AO, classifi ed 
according to the Nice classification;  
1.4  data related to the geographical area;   
1.5  data related to the application  fee payment ;  
1.6  description of  product characteristics ;  
1.7 description of  product production method.   
 
CHA PTER III   
OTHER RULES FOR APPLICATION  
 
Article 8   
Specific rules  for the g roup  
 
The group requesting a GI/AO registration must operate under a statute and can represent 
different categories of  oper ators, participating in product development.  
The Group shoul d ensure  that product specifications do not have to be such as to create a 
product manufacturer  monopoly .  
Article 9   
Specific rules for a name
 
 
 
3  
 1. A geographical indication or appellation  of  origin must, of  course, be a geographical 
name . This could be the name of  an administrative or historical region of  an administrative unit, 
a place which is referred  to a geographical area.   
2. Since geographical indications or appellations  of  origin can not be registered with a name 
that does not represent t he geographical area,  there must be a connecti on between the name and 
the geographical area. Registration of  appellation  of  origin or geographical indication s does not 
protect the geographical names ’ usage in another geographical area.  
3. The name of  a country can be registered a s an appella tion of  origin or geographical 
indication only if  the country has special characteristics, which give s to the product  special 
qualities . 
4. In addition to the geographical name, the g eographical indication or appellation  of  
origin ma y contain some  information about the product, such as its name, type, some essential 
features, which give consumers additional information about the product.  
5. Where an area covers a range of  product s, such as "milk" or "sausages", for the same 
geographical indication or appellation  of  origin, separate applications and the relevant  
documentation must be submitted for each product.  
6. If  the name required for registration as a geographica l indication or appellation  of  origin 
contains additional terms suc h as "classic ", "tradit ional", "authentic", etc., which cannot be 
protected, they will be excluded from protection.  
7. Only one name that is used in the trade to describe the product will be registe red as a n 
appellation  of  origin or geographical indication. T his name can only be re gistered in the 
languages historically used in the geographical area to describe the product in question. The 
group of  applicants must prove (at least for agricultural or food products) the previous use of 
the name in question. For  this purpose, the registration request  must be accompanied by labels, 
advertisements, press articles, etc.   
Article 10   
Specific rules for product description and raw materials  
 
1. Specifica tions for appellations  of  origin and geographical indications mu st contain 
a description an d, if  applicable, the characteristics:  
1.1 physical [shape, mass, composition, moisture, density, colo ur, condition (fresh, frozen, 
canned, whole, cut, etc.)];  
1.2 chemicals (composition, basic ingredients  of  the content  and ing redients, water 
content, sug ar, alcohol, acids, etc.);  
1.3 biological (type, breed, etc.);  
1.4 microbiological ( the type of  bacteria present, etc.);  
1.5 Organoleptic properties (colo ur, appearance, structure, tas te, the aroma of  the product, 
etc.). 
 
Article 11   
Specific rules on the boundaries of  the geographical area  
 
1. The g eographical area includes a limited area where the product is produced. For this 
purpose, the elements that must be emphasized to prove its connecti on with the origin of  the 
product will be conside red. The boundari es of  the geographical area must be defined in detail.  
2. The geographical area can be determined from the list of territorial -administrative 
boundaries, or the list of natural or geograph ical boundaries. Geographical boundaries can be 
indicated by the admini strative unit or location, indicating the common position of  places, 
geographical objects, such as mountains, rivers, constructions, etc.
 
 
 
 
4  
  
 
 
 
Article 12   
Specific rules for raw materi als 
 
1. Any restriction on the origin of  raw mat erials, for the appell ation  of origin or 
geographical indication, must be justified in the relation between the quality or characteristics of 
the product and the geographical environment, or the relation between  quality, rep utation or 
other characteri stics of  the product and its geographical origin . 
2. For a product derived from animals, protected by their appellation  of  origin, the 
specifications shall contain detailed rules on the origin and quality of  the food. The food  must 
have originated in the defin ed geographical area.  
3. For wines, specific rules on AO or GI, for raw materials, are set out in the   
law.  
Article 13   
Rules involving specific production methods  
 
1. The description of  the methods for obtaining the product shou ld include the process of 
produc t obtainment , the practice s and techniques used as well as the quality criteria of  the final 
product, highlighting its features.  
2. For animal products , the description must include information on breeding conditions, 
technol ogies and methods (forage base, gra zing, food, health status , age of slaughter, maturity, 
carcass classification, pH), as well as any other information according to  the relevant legislation.  
3. For crop products , the description must include information on the species, variety, date 
of  sowing  and date of  harvest, meth od of  harvest, maximum yield per hectare, storage, 
hardiness, health status, transport, and any other information accordi ng to the  relevant 
legislation.  
4. For processed products, the description  must include information on the raw  materials, 
ingredients used  in the processing technology, production processes and any other information 
according  to the relevant legislation.   
Article 14   
Special rules for the link between a product and geographical environment  
chara cteristics   
1. The elements justifying the links referred to in subsections "i" and "ii" of  letter "c" of  
Article 182 of  the Law should explain how the characteristics defined by the geographical area 
affect the final product.  
2. For geographical indications and appell ations  of  origin, product specifications  must 
contain:  
1.1  detailed information on the geographical environment, including location, natural and 
human  factor ;  
1.2  detailed information about the quality or characteristic s of  the products, which come  
exclusively or essentially as a result of  th e geographical environment.   
2.3  a description of  the random interaction between the details  in points 2.1 and 2.2.  
3. If  an application for registration of  the geographic al indication is based solely o n the 
product reput ation, the specifications will includ e detailed evidence of  that reputation, including 
literature or customer reviews.  
4. Information on natural factors in the defined geographical area may contain:  
4.1  environmental characteristics, which affect production techniques and practices;
 
 
  
  
 
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4.2  underground type, soil type;   
4.3 geography (topography, slope, altitude, etc.);   
4.4 climate, microclimate;  
4.5  vegetation, landscape;   
4.6  environmental characteristics, adapted to the type used for processin g or storage of  the 
product . 
5.  Informatio n on human factors in the defined geographical area should include:  
5.1  selection of  sites for activities carried out under environmental conditions (dry, planting 
crops in wind -protected areas, etc.);  
5.2. adjustment , according to  the environmental requi rements for crops or growing animals 
(terraces, reservoirs, rotating pastures, etc.);  
5.3. needs for specific construction products (dryers, mills, hay barns, etc.);  
5.4. development of  spec ific knowl edge of  processing techniques and production methods 
for animal breeding or plant cultivation to adapt varieties or breeds to environmental conditions.   
Article 15   
Specific labe lling rules  
 
The application must contain all specific elements, which will app ear on the label of  a 
product with the appellati on of  origin or geographical indication, according to the legislation in 
force on labe lling.  
CHAPTER IV   
PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION  OF GEOGRAPHICAL 
INDICAT ION  OR APPELLA TION  OF ORIGIN    
 
Article 16  
Examination of  the conditions for filing an application   
 
1. The Office should examine whether the application for GI or AO contains the following 
information:  
1.1  Name and address of  the group  of  producer s. 
1.2  Reproduction of  GI or AO. 
1.3  The product for which GI or AO applies.  
1.4  The g eographical area of  the production or origin of  the product. 
1.5  Payment receipt of  the relevant fee.  
2. When the application for GI or AO does not contain the details  referred to in point 1 of  
this article, the Office shall ask the appli cant to complete the irregularities or to make the 
relevant payment within tw o months from receipt of  the notice . 
3. If  the application meets the requirements, the Office will issue the proof for filing  and 
will recognize as the filing date of  the application the date when the irregul arities were 
completed, following  point 1 of  this a rticle.  
4. If  the irregularities provided for in point 1 are not met within the prescribed time limit, 
the Office shall reject the application and notify the applicant of the dec ision taken.  
5. The deci sion for rejection  can be appealed within one month, from th e date of  receipt 
of  the notification for rejection  in the Invalidation and Ca ncellation Divisi on.
 
 
 
6 
 
Article 17   
Evidence  of  filing  
  
 1. The evidence  of  filing  shall contain the following d ata:  
1.1  the filin g date; 
1.2  application number;  
1.3  name and address of  the group  of  producer s; 
1.4  other data stated in the application form.  
 
Article 18   
Publication of  application  
 
1. The Office examines the application under  Article 182 /a of  the law, as w ell as according  to 
Articles 5, 6 and 7, Chapter II of  th is Regulation, and publishes it in the next bulletin.  
2.GDIP  publishes the following elements of  the application:   
2.1   application ’s request number ;  
2.2 filing date;  
2.3  the name and addre ss of  the ap plicant a s well as of  the authorized representative,  if  any; 
2.4 reproduction of  geographical indication or appellation  of origin;   
2.5 the product for which protection is sought, classified according to the Nice classification;  
2.6   elements of  GI or AO that are excl uded from protection;   
2.7  product des cription;  
2.8  product specifications, provided in article 182 of  the law;   
2.9 geographical area.   
 
Article 19   
Correspondence s with competent authorities  
 
Requests according  to points 1 and 2, of  ar ticle 182/c, as wel l as points 7 and 8, of  article 
182/ç, of  the law, will be submitted in electronic form  if  such an address is assigned by the 
responsible ministry or competent authority for the assessment of  technical specifications  on a 
case by case  basis.  
Article 20   
Examination  of  the  substance  and regi stration 
  
Examination  of the substance  of  the application  is carried out  following  points 1 and 2, of  
Article 182 /c of  the law.  
The materials submitted shall also be in soft copy.  
The opinion of  the Competent Aut hority shall be in wr itten and soft copy and shall include 
arguments that GIs or AOs meet the criteria to be registered as such.  
During the examination, the Competent Authority, if  it deems necessary, may request from 
the applicant additional documen ts or explana tions ne cessary for the final decisi on. In this case, 
the 2 -month evaluation period provided in point 4, of  article 182 /c of  the law, can be extended 
by an additional 2 months, starting from the date of  the submi tted request  to the competent 
authorities. 
After receiv ing a positive assessment  from the competent authority and if  there has been no 
opposition  regarding the published GI or AO, the GDIP  invites  the applicant for payment  of  
the registration fee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7  
 Within one month, from the date of  receipt of  the inv itation  for payment of  the registr ation 
fee, the applicant makes the payment provided in the decision of  the Council of  Ministers on 
tariffs for industrial property objects and submits the original payment document to the GDIP . 
 
Within three months from the date of  submis sion of  the registr ation payment document, the 
GDIP  issues the registration certificate.   
When the payme nt is not made within the above deadline, the application is rejected  to be 
registered. The decision for rejection  can be appealed within one month from the date of  
receipt of  the notice of  rejection in the Invalidation and Ca ncellation Divisi on. 
 
Article 21  
Nati onal Register for GI and AO 
 
1. For protected appellations  of  origin, the national register shall contain the 
following information:  
1.1  request number;   
1.2 number  and date of  registration;   
1.3 filing date;  
1.4 a representation of  the AO; 
1.5 the produc t classified according to the Nice classification;  
1.6  terms excluded from protection;  
1.7 geographical area;   
1.8  a description of  the specific qualities of  t he prod uct exclusiv ely because of  its 
geographical origin, emphasizing the connection o f  the pr oduct with that geographical 
origin;  
1.9  names and addresses of  authorities or bodies responsible for verifying 
compliance with specifications;  
1.10 name and add ress of  the holder /holders of  the right to use the appellation  of  
origin.  
2. For prote cted geo graphical indications, the national register shall contain the 
following data:  
1.1  request number;   
1.2 number and date of  registration;   
1.3 filing date;  
1.4 reproduction  of  geograph ical indication;   
1.5 type of  product classified under the Nice classifi cation;   
1.6 elements of  geographical indications excluded from protection;  
1.7 geographical area;   
1.8  the description that characterizes the product, to which the ge ographi cal origin i s 
attributed and emphasizes the connection between the charac teristic s of  the product and its 
geographical origin;  
1.9  names and addresses of  the authorities or bodies responsible for verifying 
compliance; specifications and accuracy  of  de tails; 
1.10 name and address of  the holder /holders  of  the right to use the protected geographical 
indication . 
      Article 22  
Data contained in the GI or AO registration certificate  
 
1. The GI or AO registration certificate contains the following data: 1.1 GI / AO 
application  and registration number;  
1.2  date of  application and registration  of GI/AO; 
1.3  name and address of  the owner of  the GI/AO; 
1.4  name and address of  the authorized representative, if  any;
  
 8 
1.5 product type, classified accordi ng to N ice classifi cation;  
1.6 production of  GI or AO;  
1.7  elements that are exclud ed from protection;   
1.8 the date of  publication of  the entry in the industrial property bulletin.  
 
 
 
CHAPTER V   
PROCEDURE FOR OPPOSITION OF GI/AO REGISTRATION , 
REVO CATION AND APPEAL O F DECISIONS  
 
Article 23   
Content of  the request for opposition  
 
1. The requ est for exam ination of  the oppositio n contains, in addition to the provisions of  
point 2, article 182 /ç, of  the law, also:  
1.1  data for the claimant , according to po ints 1. 1 and 1.2, o f  article 35, of  this regulation;  
1.2 if  applicable, data of  the repres entative , under  point 2, article 35, of  this regulation;  
1.3 data related to the registration of  the appellation  of  origin or geographical indication 
against wh ich the oppos ition has been lodged: number, filing date, applicant and publication 
number where  the requ est was published;  
1.4 list of documents in 2 (two) copies;  
1.5 signature of  the applicant's representative or the applicant himself, according to  point 5, 
article 3 5, of  this regulation;  
1.6 legal basis for filing an opposi tion, according to arti cle 182 /d of  the law;  
1.7 evidence, regarding the legal basis for filing a request for opposition;  
1.8 arguments of  the request for opposition ; 
1.9 documen t for p ayment of th e fee for objection;  
1.10 authorization of  representation, if  the request is filed  by the r epresentative of  the 
claim ant. 
 
Article 24   
Oppos ition  Review  
 
1. The Oppos ition Division  reviews the opposition  within two months f rom the  its 
submission  date. 
2. If  the request for an opposition  is not submitted within the deadline provi ded in point 
1, article 182 /ç of  the law, the Oppos ition Division  rejects the request for opposition  and 
notifies the claimant  of  the decision for rejection . 
3. In case the opposition  does not meet the conditions of  Article 23 of  this regulati on, the 
Oppos ition Division  requests the claimant , through written notification, to complete the 
ascertained shortcomings within two months, f rom the  date of  rec eipt of  the notification. If  the 
deficiencies are not remedied within the time li mit, the oppo sition  will be deemed not to hav e 
been filed.  
4. When the claimant  completes the deficiencies, the Oppos ition Division  sends a copy of  
the oppos ition to the chal lenged GI/AO applicant  and notifies him in writing to submit 
arguments and any other document , in support of  his arguments, within  two months from the 
date of  receipt of  the notice.  
5. During the review, the Oppos ition Division  has the right to  request to the parties, 
through  a written notice, the subm ission of  additional materials and other do cuments, within 
two months from the date of  receipt of  the notice.
 
9  
 6. The Oppos ition Division  decides about  the opposition , within  two months from the 
date of  the file  completeness , according to points 4  and 5, of  this article, and notifies in writing 
the parties on the decision taken.   
7. When an opposition  is submitted  for the specifications of  the agricultural or fo od 
product, the Oppos ition Division  sends the application file, together with the complete 
oppositi on file, to the Minister responsible for agriculture, for approval within one month, aft er 
completeness  of  all the documents.  The same procedure is followed  for no n-agricultur al or non -
food products, as provided in law no. 9947, dated 7.7.2008, “On industrial property ”, as 
amended.  
8. The decision of  the Oppos ition Division  may be appealed to th e Board of Appeal , 
against the payment of the rele vant fe e, within on e month from the date of  the decision . 
9. When the Oppos ition Division  decides to dismiss the opposition  and the rejection 
decision is not appealed to the board  of  appeal , this decision beco mes final, a copy of  it is filed 
in the a pplicat ion file for  registration of  the GI/AO and the examiner continues the p rocedure  
for its registration.  
10. When the Oppos ition Division  decides to accept the opposition  and th e respect ive 
decision is not appealed to the board  of appeal , the decis ion bec omes final,  a copy of  which  is 
filed in the application file for re gistration of  GI/AO and when the examiner refuses to register  
the GI/AO, he/she notifies the applicant of  the refusal of  registration . This decision is 
published in the officia l bulle tin. 
11. When th e decision of  the Oppos ition Division , regarding t he opposition  for a GI/AO 
registration , is appealed to the board of  appeal , the decision of  the latter is filed in the 
application file for the GI/AO registrati on and is published in the official bulletin.  
12. When the decision of  the board of a ppeal is appeal ed in cour t, the decision of  the latter 
is filed in the application file for registration of  GI/AO and is published in the official bulletin.   
 
Article 25  
Content of  the request for revocation of  a geographical indication /appellation  of  ori gin 
 
1.  The re quest for repeal  of  a geographical indication /appellation  of  origin, based on 
Article 183 of  the law, is submitted as a separate request in two i dentica l copies . 
2.  The request for the repeal  of  a geographical indication /appellation  of  orig in contains : 
1.1  The “PGI/PAO/4” Request  form , attached to this regulation, in which the following 
details will be specified:  
a)  the registration number of  the geograp hical indica tion/appellation  of  origin to which the 
request has been filed;  
b)  numbe r and addre ss of  t he owner of  the geographical indication /appellation  of  origin;  
c)  name and address of  the person filing the request ; 
ç) name and a ddress of  th e authorized re presentative if  one has been appointed.  
1.2  Legal basis supporting the request  for abroga tion or devaluation of  GI or AO. 
1.3  Evidence, regarding the legal basis on which the request for abrogation or devaluation of  
GI or AO is based.  
1.4 Arguments suppo rting the request for abrogation.   
1.5 Mandate payment of the respective fee.   
1.6 Authori zation for representation, if  the applicant has appointed a representative.   
 
Article 26   
Review of  the requests for revocation  of  a GI/AO 
 
 
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1. The Invalidation an d Cancellation Division reviews the request for revocation  of  a GI/AO 
within two months fro m the date of  its  submission. When reviewing the request for revocation 
of  a registered LGE /EO, the Invalidation and Cancellation Division invite s the p arties, as  
 necessary, to file their claims, within 2 (two) months from the date of  receipt of  the notice, 
concernin g communica tions submitted by other parties or made by the Invalidation and 
Cancellation Division itself.  
2. If  the Invalidation and Cancellation Divisio n deems it  reasonable, it may invite the parties 
to find an amicable settlement, through an agreement, which, if  reach ed, must  be in writ ing and 
signed by both parties.  
3. Any decision of  the Invalidation and Cancellation Division for the abrogation of  a 
registere d GI/AO, after it becomes final, is published in the official bulletin and is registered in 
the register of  
indication s/appellat ions. Article  27 
Appeal of  decisions  
 
1. Any decision for refusal  taken during the examination process can be appeal ed to the 
Invalidation and Cancellation Division within 1 (one) month from the date of  the decision  
unless otherwise provided by law o r this regul ation.  
2. Decisions  that can be appealed to the board of appeal are:  
2.1 decisions taken by the Oppos ition Divisio n; 
2.2 decisions taken by the Invalidation and Cancellation Division . 
3. The appeal of  a decision results in the suspensio n of  further  follow -up of  the 
relevant procedure.  
4. The decisions provided above enter into force after they become final.  
5. Any oth er decision, which is not included in the decisions provided in points 1 and 2, 
of  this article, and does not terminate th e continuati on of  the procedure s, can be appealed 
only with the final decision.   
Article 28   
Appeal procedure  
 
1.  The appeal pro cedur e against a de cision of  the Office starts  upon  submission of  the 
request for appeal to the relevant structure.  
2.  The r equest for  appeal, according to point 1, article 27, of  this regulation, contains:  
2.1  the application form for “PGI3 or PAO3”,  appeal attached to  this regulation;  
2.2  the legal basis on which the appeal was based;  
2.3  the arguments and /or evidence on wh ich the a ppeal is based;  
2.4  receipt  of  the respective fee  payment ; 
2.5  authorization of  representation, if  the appeal has been  filed by a represe ntative.  
3. The request for appeal, referred to point 2, of  article 27, of  this regulation, must contain:  
3.1  the ap plication for appeal through  “PGI or FAO / 5 form ”, attached to this regulation;  
3.2  the legal basis on which the appeal was based; 
2.3 arguments an d/or evidence on which the appeal is based;   
3.4  payment of the relevant fee;  
3.5  authorization of representa tion, if  the appeal has  been filed by a representative.  
4.  The request for appeal is filed as a separate request, in two ident ical co pies.  
5.  Any relevant structure, such as the Oppo sition Division , the Invalidation and 
Cancellation Division and the Board of Appeal, when  considering a claim, in accordance with  
the respective competencies provided by law and this regula tion, must state ev erything that is 
requested  and for the purpose , it is requested .
 
 
 
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 6. The claim of  an opposing party, which is not relat ed to the object of the  claim, is not 
considered by the board of  appeal.  
 
 
 
Article 29   
Review of  claims by the boar d of  appe al 
 
1. The Secretary of  the Board of  Appeal, within one month from the date of  submission 
of  the request for appeal, verifies on  whether  the re quest fulfills  point 3, article 27, of  this 
regulation . 
2. When a request for appeal is filed following  point 3 of  Article 27 of  this regulation, the 
secretary of  the board of  appeal shall send to the party against wh om the appeal has been 
lodged a copy of  t he request for appeal and shall notify the party  to file within two months from 
the date of  receip t of the no tice, arguments and any other documents relating to the appeal.  
3. In case a request for appeal is not submitte d under  the conditions provided in poin t 3, 
article 27, of  this regulation, the secretary of  the board of  appeal noti fies in  writing the  board of 
appeal, which rejects the request for appeal  and notifies the appellant of the decision taken.  
4. The secretary of  the board of  appeal, within 1 (one) m onth, from the expir y of  the 
term provided in point 2 of  this article, su bmits t o the board for review the re quest for appeal.  
5. The Board of Appeal  reviews a request within 3 (three) months from the date  of  its 
submission to the board.  
6. When reviewing  an app eal, the Board of  Appeal, when it deems appropriate, shall have 
the right to request  to the parties, through  written notice, to submit additional evidence and 
other documents within a reasonable period fro m th e date of  the notice , but, in any case, not 
later th an one month from the date of  receipt of  the  notice by the p arty. 
7. If  the board of  appeal  deems reasonabl e, may invite the parties to hearings and ask  
them to find an amicable solution, which, if  reached, should be materialized in a written 
agreement, signe d by both parties before the notary or before the board of  appeal.  
8. The sec retary of  the board notifies interested parties immediately after the decision of  
the board of appeal is ta ken, but i n any case, not later than 1 (one) month from the making  of  
the decision .  
 
Article 30   
The effect of  the decisions   
 
1. The decision of  th e board  of  appeal  becomes final from the consecutive  day following 
the expir y date for appeal in court  when none  of  the parties  has appealed against the decision of  
the board.  
2. When a decision of  the board of  appeal or court becomes fi nal, th e Office sha ll execute 
the decision immediatel y as soon as it is filed in the office by the Office itself, the court or 
interested party, with no need to follow -up other procedures   
3. In case of  an appeal of the decision of  the board of  appeal in c ourt, t he appellant  
should  notify the GDIP  within 1 (one)  month from the date of  filing the appeal in court, to 
avoid the execution of  the decision of  the board of appeal.   
 
CHAPTER VI   
LOGO S FOR PGI AND PAO  
 
Article 31
 
12 
 
  
 Logos a nd thei r use  
 
1. The l ogos of  a protected geographical indication and appellation  of  origin are set out in 
Annex 2, attached  to this Regulation.  
2. Logos must be on the label of  protected agricultural or food products such as PGI or 
PAO, accompanied by the registered n ame, while the manufacturers themselves can agree on the 
positioning  of  the logo on  their packag e. 
3. Logos c an be used in Albania as well as in the markets of  other countries.  
4. Their use is optional for wines or alcoholic beverage s or PGI/PAO  coming  from other 
countries.  
5. Logos may only be used on the product for which the PGI or PAO is registered. Logos 
may not  be used on a product that contains a  PGI or PAO  or is a mixture of  different 
PGIs/PAO s. 
6. Logos should be used in color . Their black an d white use is allowed only when they are 
the only colors  used in packaging.  
7. The writing us ed in the logo shall be Times New Roman , in capital letters.  
8. The GDIP  shall provide the digital printing version  of  the logo to manufacturers of  
PGIs  or PAOs .  
CHAPTER V II  
INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND OTHER AUTHORITIES   
Article 32   
Registry extract and investigation  
 
1. Under  Article 194 of  the law, the GDIP  issues to the interested persons an extract  from 
the GI/AO register, as well as answers  to requests  for an investigation.  
2. The request for a registry extract for a registered GI/AO is submitted to the GDIP  in 
writing, accompa nied by the document of  payment of  the relevant fee, otherwise , the request is 
considered unsubmitted. The extrac t of  th e register, issued by the GDIP , contains all the data on 
GI/AO. 
3. The request for an investigation concerni ng a GI/AO is submit ted to the GDIP  in 
writing, accompanied by the relevant paid fee, otherwise , the request is cons idered unsubmitted.  
The GDIP  notifies the claimant in writing of  the outcome of  the investigation.   
 
Article 33   
Duplicates  
 
1. The owner of  a registered GI/AO has the right to request a duplicate of  the registration 
certificate or other notices issued by t he GDIP  for the reg istrat ion of  changes in the GI/AO 
register.  
2. The request is submitted in writing and must be accompanied by the relevant fee  
payment docume nt and the authorization of  representation  when the request is submitted by the 
repre sentati ve of  the GI/AO’s owner, otherwi se, it shall be  considered unsubmitted.   
 
Article 34   
File inspection  
 
1. The file, which belongs to an appl ication for registration of  an indication or appellation 
not yet published, can not be inspected without the consent of  the group of  appl icants.  
  
 
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 2. Following the publication of  the GI/AO, documents related to this application may be 
inspected upon request.   
3. When th e files are inspected according to point 2 of  this article, the documents related 
to the dismissal /request for the dismissal  of  a member o f the Oppos ition Division  or the 
Invalidation and Cancellation Division or the Board of  Appeal due to conflict of  inte rest, draft 
decisions and opinions, all internal documents used for their preparation and parts of  the file, 
for which t he inte rested party  shows a special interest in maintaining confidentiality, before the 
request for inspection of  the file is filed, are  prohibited for inspection, except when the 
inspection of  these dossier documents is justified by the legitimate, essent ial int erest of  the  party 
requesting the inspection.  
4. The i nspection  of the applicat ion file  for registration or the registration of  a GI/AO 
shall be  carried out with original  documents, their copies or other technical means or equipment 
of  storage.  
5. The i nspecti on of  files is carried out within the office premises . Upon a written request, 
the file inspection is accompanied by the issuance of  copies of  th e file documents. The issuance 
of  these copies is conditioned by the payment of  the duplicate fee. Upon a  writte n request and 
paymen t of  the relevant fee, the Office also issues certified or uncertified copies of  an 
applica tion for registrati on of  GI/AO.  
     6.  When the files are inspected according to point 5 of this article, the request for 
inspection of  t he file will be consider ed as not filed until when the payment of  the respective fee 
will be made.  
7. Files held  by the Office for intern ational registration may be inspected based on  a 
written request, starting from t he date  of  publicat ion of  the international application, under  
points 1, 2 and 3 of  this Article.  
8. Following  the restricti ons set out in point 3 of  this Article,  as well as bas ed on a written 
request, the Office may provide information  from a ny file relating  to an application for 
registration of  a GI/AO or a registered  GI/AO, after making the investigation fee  payment .  
 
CHAPTER VIII   
GENERAL REQUIREME NTS 
 
Article 35   
Name and a ddress  
 
1. For correspondences  filed in the Office, the name and address of  the applicant must be 
presented, as follows:  
1.1 If  the applicant is a gr oup, in the sense of  poi nt 1, article 177, of  the law: name of  the 
association, add ress, city, state;  
1.2. If  the a pplicant is a natural or legal p erson: name,  surname, name of  the company, in the 
case of  a legal person, address, city, state.  
2. For correspondence s filed in the office,  the name and address of  the authorized 
representative shall be presented as follows: na me, surname, address, city, state a nd/or code  of  
the representative.  
3. The applicant can declare other ways of  contact, such as phone number, e-mail address,  
fax etc. 
4. The pr ovisions of  this Article, as well as Articles 36 and 37 of  this Regulation, shall als o 
apply to correspondence s communi cated to the  Oppos ition Division , the Invalidation and 
Cancellation Division and the Board of Appeal.  
5. In all GI/AO forms the section with the following text  will be provided : 
“I, the signatory (a) acknowledge that the GDIP  can contact me through the f ollowin g means of 
communication, for issues related to the procedures provided in law no. 9947, dated 
14 
  
 7.7.2008,  “On industrial property ’, as a mended, and bylaws in its implementation through:   
  electronic mail (e-mail), to the following address: _______________;  
  comm unicati on (SMS, cal l) to the following number: _________________;  
  fax, in the following number:  __________________________;  
GDIP  notifies tha t entry of  the above contact details  is voluntary.  
GDIP  will keep  these data (hereinafter "Personal Data"),  which the applican t and /or the 
authorized person (hereinafter " Entit y") has entered in this applicatio n form.  
Personal data will be processed  and used by the GDIP  in the capacity of  the controller or by 
third part ies, appointed by the GDIP , in the capacit y of  the processor , exc lusively to 
communicate with the entity, regarding the procedures related to thi s application.  
Personal data will not be transf erred to a third party without the prior consent of  the entity 
and will not be subject to international transf er. The GDIP  may also, from time to time, use 
personal data to contact the entity and send informat ion that may be of  interest to him /her, 
such as n otices, events and /or legal developme nts in the field of  activ ity of  the GDIP . 
The GDIP  will stop sending this informa tion if  the entity expressly notifies the GDIP  in 
writing that h  /she does not wish to be  contacted further to obtain such information.  
The entity  has the right to request informa tion, correction or u pdate /cancellation of  personal 
data that GDIP  has s tored in the  database, as well as to request to exercise any other right, 
recognized by law no . 9887, date 10.3.2008, "On the protection of  personal data", as amended.   
Data: _____ / _ ____ / ________  
 
____ ______________________________ (name, surnam e, sign ature)  
 
Thro ugh this special signature, the signatory gives consent for GDIP  to store, process  and 
use the personal data of  the entity , in accordance with the above conditions. Through  this special 
signatu re, the signatory also declares under his /  her re sponsibility  that the contact details as 
above are his / her data, or of  a third person, who ha s authorized the signatory to perform these 
actions” .  
6. In all GI/AO forms, which will b e filed in the office , the address of  the office and its  logo 
shall be place d.  
Article 36   
Other requirements  for the correspondence  
 
1. The office will only accept han dwritten signatures on documents filed with th e office.  
2. If  a correspondence  with the Office  contains several do cuments, which relate to several 
applications , then each documen t must indicate the application number to which the document 
relates.   
Article 37   
Authorization of  representation  
 
1. The autho rization of  representation must contain:   
1.1 signature of  the r epresentative of  the group of applicants /applicant , certified by a notary, 
when the group of applicants /applicant is an Albanian or foreign natura l person;  
1.2 signature and seal or signat ure certified by a notary  public  when the group of  
applicants /applic ant is an Albanian or foreign legal entity.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15  
 2. If  the authorization of  representation does not comply with the rules outlined  in this 
regulation16, the Office shall notify the representative who filed the  application16 to complete 
the irregularitie s within 3 (three) months from the date of  receipt of  the notice.   
3. If  the person who  has filed the authorization of  representation does not comple te the 
deficiencies  within the deadline specified in the notification of  the off ice, according to point 2 of  
this article, the Office rejects the application.  
4. The GDIP  registers in the TG /AO registe r an authori zed representative, who is 
appointed as a repr esentative by the group of  applicants or owners, through a general 
authorization, which gives the r epresentati ve the right to represent them in the follow -up of 
procedures and perform  the act ions pr ovided in th e law and regulations, concerning  the 
indicat ion/appellation  registration . 
5. When the group of  applicants or owners of  a GI/AO revokes the repr esentation 
authorization, they must file with the GDIP  the request for revocation  or cha nge of 
autho rization as well as for the appointment of  a new representati ve. The request is registered in 
the register of GI/EO, according to the provisions of  point 4 of  this article.   
Article 38   
Hearings  
 
When deemed necessary, the Office or t he Board of Appeal shall hold hearings and invite the 
parties to attend the hearing s16.  
Article 39   
The t aking  of evidence  
 
1.  The t aking and obtain ment of evidence from the Of fice and the Board of Appeal 
predict :  
1.1 hearing s of parties ; 
1.2 research for information ; 
1.3 filing of  documents and evidence;   
1.4  hearing s of  other persons, when deemed necessary by the office, the board of  appeal or 
at the req uest of the parties.   
Article 40   
Notification and submission of  documents  
 
1. The date of  notification of  a document will be considered the date of  receipt16 of  the 
notification by the group of  applicants or their representative. Notification  deadlines shall be 
calculated starti ng from  the consequent  day of receipt of the notice . 
2. Any notification  sent to the representative shall have the same ef fect as it was sent to the 
person represented.  
3. Any communication addressed to the Office by a representative shall be deemed to have 
been sent by the represented  person . 
4. If  an authorized representative has been appointed, the Office shall send all notifica tions 
to the latter.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ANNEX 2 
 
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